The Fisherman and the River Cow

The Manatee, known as the "river cow" (Ayya), is a sacred and powerful creature of the Niger River, believed to be a spirit in animal form. A story is told of a Sorko fisherman whose nets were always empty. In despair, he prayed to the river spirits. That night, a Manatee appeared to him in a dream. "You are a good man, but your nets are cursed by a jealous rival," the Manatee said. "I will help you. Tomorrow, cast your net where you see the river reeds bend against the current." The fisherman did as he was told. He cast his net in the strange spot and pulled in the biggest catch of his life, full of massive fish. His rival, who saw this, became even more jealous and tried to cast his own net in the same spot, but it was snagged by an unseen force and he was pulled into the water and drowned. The Manatee had not only blessed the good fisherman but had also delivered justice to the evil one. The Sorko people see the Manatee as a powerful, benevolent spirit that upholds the moral order of the river.